Johnston Leads Wolfpack In Upset Over #24 UNC

CHAPEL HILL – Behind a complete game from Reid Johnston, the NC State Wolfpack baseball team upset the 24th ranked UNC Tar Heels Friday evening 9-2 at Boshamer Stadium in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.

The Wolfpack got the scoring started early as Tyler McDonough took a fastball from Tar Heel starter Austin Love deep over the right-center-field fence for a solo home-run. The Tar Heels threatened in the bottom half of the inning but left runners on first and second. 

Vojtech Mensik made the score 5-0 in the top of the second inning as he blasted a grand slam over the center-field fence. Two batters later, McDonough dribbled a single into the outfield to drive in Austin Murr to make the score 6-0.

NC State put another run on the board on consecutive errors as Devonte Brown scored an unearned run off an errant throw over to the first base to give the Wolfpack a 7-0 lead halfway through the third inning. 

The Tar Heels scored their first run in the bottom of the third inning as Danny Serretti laced a single up the middle to drive in Justice Thompson but trailed 7-1 after 3 innings. 

NC State scored once again scored as Jonny Butler drove in McDonough on a sacrifice fly in the top of the fourth inning. 

North Carolina made back-to-back pitching changes in the top of the fifth inning but NC State did no damage as Mensick grounded into a double play to end the inning. 

The Wolfpack took an eight-run lead (9-1)  into the seventh inning stretch as Terrell Tatum drove in Butler with a single up the middle. 

Hunter Stokely gave the Tar Heels their second run of the game with a solo blast in the bottom of the ninth inning. 

Reid Johnston was outstanding on the mound for the Wolfpack throwing a complete game and only allowed six hits and two runs to the powerful Tar Heel offense. 

The series will continue Saturday afternoon at Boshamer Stadium, as Sam Highfill (RHP, 0-1, 4.87 ERA) is set to take the bump for the Wolfpack and Max Alba (RHP, 2-1, 5.09 ERA) on the hill for the Tar Heels.